But Rush has experienced one of the most famous and dramatic final days in English football history and has learnt never to write off the team in second place.

Liverpool only needed to avoid defeat by more than one goal against Arsenal at the end of the 1988-89 campaign to win the league title but the unfancied Gunners stunned the Anfield faithful with a 2-0 win courtesy of Michael Thomas’ injury-time strike to take the championship on goals scored.

The heartbreaking night has taught scoring great Rush to expect the unexpected when title races go down to the wire, and he remains upbeat about the Reds defying the odds this weekend.

“It is never over until the fat lady sings,” said Rush.

“Sometimes when you’re simply hanging on and not needing a win on the final day, then it can be dangerous.

“If we had needed to beat Arsenal on the final day of the season in ‘89 then we would’ve done.

“Stranger things have happened and Arsenal capitalised on our mistakes.

“I have a sneaky feeling that the league will be won on 84 points. There will be another twist and turn. I fully feel that will happen but Liverpool have got to be in the position to capitalise on any slip-up.

“So Liverpool need to focus on getting three points in the bag and waiting to see what happens at City.